Carburetor



Feb. 1l,` 1930. T. o. RlcHARnsoN CARBURETOR 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed July i,Y 1927 Feb. 11, 1930.

T. H. o. RICHARDSON 1,746,681

GARBURETOR Filed July 18, 1927 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. H. o. RICHARDSON v 1,746,681

GARBURETOR Feb. lvl, 1930.`

Filed July 18. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Feb. 1 1, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcr.

THOMAS HERBERT O'FITEWILL RICHARDSON, OF ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND cAnBUnnTon Application tiled July 18, 1927, Serial No. 206,737, and in Great Britain `August 13, 1926.

Y more constant mixture of fuel and air or other gas, such as oxygen, is given to the engine Y under varying speeds and conditions.

In my improved form of carburetor I dispense entirely with any ofthe usual forms of main jets and choke tubes and substitute therefor a hollow wing or vane shaped to act as an aerofoil and hereinafter referred to as a wing, mounted in the induction tube in such y a way that the wing decreases its incidence to the incoming air as more air enters the `induction tube. On part of one surface the wing is perforated or slit whichpart acts as an atomizer for the fuel. The advantage of this construction is that owing tothe position in which the wing is placed and to its shape and mode of movement caused by the air entering` the engine,`all of which are ,hereinafter d escribed, the mixture passing to the engine is so regulated that even with widely varying engine speeds and throttle positions the proportion of fuel to air can be kept more constant than in carburetors heretofore used. At the same time owing to the large crosssectional area of air intake and the aerofoil form `of the wing, the induction tube is comparatively unrestricted at maximum engine speeds `and the perforated surface of the wing gives efficient atomization of the fuel.

One manner of carrying` out my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a part sectional elevation of an air inlet tube and fuel reservoir taken on the lines l--l of Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 2 is a part sectional plan taken on the lines 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation taken on lines 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a detail part sectional elevation of the wing and fuel supply tube; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the hollow wing.

Lilie references denote like parts in all the figures of the drawings. l

In these drawings A represents the float chamber similar to that used in an ordinary carburetor. Attached to the float chamber or made integral therewith is a petrol or other fuel supply reservoir B into which the petrol or other fuel passes from the float chamber by means of an inter-communicating passage arranged at a convenient height to maintain an adequate supply of fuel in the reservoir B. On the face of the reservoir B adjacent to the float chamber is lined the square-shaped in-V duction tube C (orthe tub-e C maybe made integral with the reservoir B). The air used for admixture with the fuel passes upwards through the tube C which is open at the bot-` tom `and which may be attached in the usual manner to any filtering `or warming device for the air. Towards the bottom of the induction tube C is the hollow wing E which is perforated on the surface away from the air inlet as at F in Figures l and 2. i

An L-shaped pipe D D gives a passage for the petrol or other fuel from the reservoir B to the interior of the hollow wing E. The portion D of the said pipe is placed verti cally in the reservoir B and is of such a length as to reach nearly to the bottom of the reser voir, the portion D7 which is at right angles to the portion D7 passes through a bearing in the wall of the reservoir and into the `induction tube C and is free to rotate about its own axis. The portion D there passes into the hollow wingE near its lower end. The wing E is connected to the portion D with air-tight joints so that the wing F and the portionD rotate together. In the interior of the wing E partof the pipe Dis cut awayso as to give an open connection with the petrol or other fuel reservoir B through the pipe D D. The fuel level normally stands just belowthepor-- tion D of the pipe D D.

The portion D of the pipe D D is mounted in such a position that the upper end of E rests against or close to the side of the induction tube C while allowing a passage for air between the lower end of the wing and the other side of the induction tube, so that when the engine is stationary or running'at a slow speed there may be practically no passage for air between the upper end of the wing and the side of the induction tube but there is a passage for air between its lower end and the other side of the induction tube as shown in Fi ures 1 and 2.

n order to control the movement of the Wing E, caused by the pressure of the incom ing air, a controlling device is used such as the spring G shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The tension spring G is attached at one end to the projection K at the top of the portion D of the pipe D D and at the other end to the pin G on the reservoir B. rlhis spring will tend to keep the upper end of the winglE close to the side of the induction tube C W en the engine is stationary. The ten sion of the controlling device may be made adjustable for the purpose of changing the proportion by volume of fuel to air, which malj7 be rendered necessary, as for instance by a. c ange of temperature or barometric pressure, or for correcting the proportions of fuel to air made necessary by a scarcity of oxygen vin the atmosphere such as is experienced at high altitudes. One method of making the tension of the spring adjustable would be to dispense with the pin G and substitute therefor a. horizontal pin which can be brought through the side of the reservoir B in such a way that a control screw can be placed on its outer end, by which the tension in the spring can be varied.

As the portion D of the pipe D D and the wing E rotate in the operation of the carburetor the bottom of the portion D will move backwards and forwards in the reservoir. If desired a vane L as shown in Figure 4 can be attached to the end of the pipe D so as to steady the movement of the wing or vane E by a dash-pot action.

The improved carburetor operates in the following manner. i When the engine is started the pressure in the induction tube will fall below that of the atmosphere and in consequence a flow of air will commence in the induction tube. The

air will pass up the tube C past the perfo-' rated face F of the wing E and will create a partial vacuum in and around the perforated face F, owing to the position which the wing takes up and its aerofoil form.

This reduction of pressure will cause fuel to be sucked up into the hollow wing E and to be drawn through the perforations, whereby it is wholly or partially atomized whence it will be carried to the cylinders of the engine mixed with the air. The perforations or slits must be such as to cause atomization of the fuel on its passage out of-the wing.

When the throttle H is opened to increase the engine speed, the velocity of the air in the induction tube increases and consequently the reduction of pressure on the perforated surface of the hollow wing is increased. But

in order that this increased reduction shall not draw too much fuel through the wing, the wing is moved by the incoming air to assume a position more nearly parallel to the direction of the ow of the air. As the tube and wing E rotate and assume a position more nearly parallel to the flow of the air, the suction over the perforated area of the wing by a given flow of air tends to decrease as the wing is more or less in line with the incoming air, so that the amount of fuel drawn from the atomizing' surface F does not increase to the same extent that it would if the wing E were to remain stationary. By means of the spring G or other controlling device thc force required to move the wing E can be varied for varying conditions, and the carburetor can be tuned up so as to give the best results for the type of engine used.. As the velocity of the air diminishes so the spring, or other controlling device, tends to return the wing to its original position. The spring or controlling device can be so regulated that the proportion of fuel to air in the mixture will remain comparatively constant for the various throttle positions and engine speeds.

Another form of wing that has been found satisfactory is shown in Figures 5 and G. Fig. 5 shows a wing with a spring M M2 whose camber is automatically altered by the alteration in position of the hollow portion of the wing due to the air pressure, while Fig. 6 shows a wing and spring M M2 in which the camber is adjustable by hand. In Fig. 5 the hollow portion of the wing E which is curved on the perforated side and approximately flat on the other side is mounted 0n the fuel supply pipe so that its lower edge fits against the portion D of the fuel supply pipe D D.

The rod L is rigidly secured across the induction tube C below, and parallel with the portion D of the fuel supply pipe, and a bent spring having one short curved arm M and one long arm M2 is fixed thereon as shown. The spring M M2 is fiat and of a width about the same as that of the hollow portion of the wing. The two arms M M2 of the bent spring press against and lie along the two sides of the wing forming part thereof, the short arm M ending just beyond the fuel supply portion D and the long arm'M2 extending along the approximately flat side of the wing E to near its upper end.

Then the engine is at rest the long arm M2 of the bent spring is pressed towards the side of the induction tube C under the action of the wing E and its spring G. As soon, however, as the engine is started the movement of the wing E to a position approximately parallel to the flow of the incoming air will be assisted by the tendency of the long arm M2 of the bent spring to straighten. As the short arm M remains stationary it will be seen that the camber of the wing E alters automatically as the positionof the hollow portionof the wing alters.` i 4 Y Y f Infthe construction shown in Fig. 6 the hollow portion ofthe wing E is mounted on the portion D of the `fuel supplypipe as in Fig.` `5 but is connected to the rod L by apiece of pliable `metal N, the rod `L being-freevto move in theinduction tube C. "When it is desiredto alterthe camber of the wing E, the metal strip N can be bent in any manner desired so asto give the necessary adjustment. My invention is not limited to the precise examples described or to the details shown inthe drawings as many variations can be made therefrom without departing from the scopeof my invention.

I nclaim Y l 1. A carburetor forinternal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mountedadjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel` reservoir `and mounted in the'wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, a hollow wing of aerofoil shape fixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the-interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in suchposition that its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one wall of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable' by the air entering the gas inlettube and having part of one surface perforated, a springl having one end connected tothe fuel supplypipe and the other tothe side of the fuel supply reservoir for retarding the movement of thewing, and means for varying the camber of the wing.

2. A i carburetor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mounted in the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, a hollow wingof aerofoil shape iixedly mounted at its lower end on, Vand in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that' its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one wall of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by' the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of 'one surface perfo.

rated, a spring having one end connected to the fuel supply pipe and the other to the side of the fuel supply reservoir, for retarding the movement of the wing, and a bent spring mounted on a rodin the inlet tube below the hollow wing and having its arms lying along the sides of the wing adapted to vary the camber of said wing and spring.

3. A vcarburetor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet.` tube, ai fuel-supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mounted in the wall of the inlettubeso as to be rotatable about its own axis, a hollow wingofaerofoil shape fixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to onefwall of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part o f one surface perforated, a spring having oneend connected to the fuel supply pipe and the other to the side of the fuel supply reservoir, and aibent i adapted to vary the camber of Said wing and spring.

il. A carburetor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoirmounted adjacent the said gas inl-et tube, a fuelsupply pipe in open communication `with the fuel reservoir and mountedin the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, a hollow wing of aerofoil shape ixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel supply` pipe is in proximity to one wall of the said inlet tube when the 'engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated, a spring having one end connected to the fuel supply pipe and the other to the sideA of the fuel Supply reservoir, and a bent spring, oon-5 sisting of one long` and one shortarm, mount`` ed on a rod in the inlet tube, the long arm extending along one side of the wingtonear its upper end, and the short arm ending just beyond the fuel supply pipe, 'and a pliable metal rod connecting the bentspring rod and the wingltoV vary the cainberof said'wing and spring.

5. A carburetor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adj a-r cent thev said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the ,fuel

reservoir andmounted in `the wall of the` iin ilse

inlet tube and having part of one surace perforated, a spring having one end con-` nected to the fuel su ply pipe and the other to the side of the uel supply reservoir, a bent spring, consisting of one long4 and one short arm, mounted on a rod in the inlet tube, the long arm extending `along one side ofthe wing to near its upper end, and the short arm ending just beyond the fuel supply pipe to vary the camber of said wing and spring, anda pliable metal rod connecting the bent spring rod and the wing, the fuel supply pipe having a vane fixed to the end remote from the hollow wing.

6. A carburetor fol` internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas in let tube, a fuel supply reservoir mount-ed adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel suply pipe in open communication with the uel reservoir and leadinginto the said inlet tube, and a hollow wing of aerofoil shape mounted within the inlet tube on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel sup ly pipe is in proximity to one of the walls o the said inlet tube when theengine is atv rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated.

7. A carburetor for internal combustion en ines comprising in combination a gas inlet tue, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mounted in the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, and a hollow wing ofaerofoil shape mounted within the inlet tube on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one of the walls of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated. f

8. A carburetory for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mounted in the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, and a hollow wing of aerofoil shape fixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the interior of, the

said fuel supply pipe, in such position that.

its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one of the walls ofthe said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing bein automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated. y y

9. A carburetor for internal combustion engines comprisingl in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mounted in the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, a' hollow wing of aerofoil shape iixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one of the walls of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated, and means for controlling the movement of the said wing.

l0. A carburetor for internal combustion engines comprising in combination a gas inlet tube, a fuel supply reservoir mounted adjacent the said gas inlet tube, a fuel supply pipe in open communication with the fuel reservoir and mountedin the wall of the inlet tube so as to be rotatable about its own axis, a hollow wing of aerofoil shape lixedly mounted at its lower end on, and in open communication with the interior of, the said fuel supply pipe, in such position that its end remote from the fuel supply pipe is in proximity to one of the walls of the said inlet tube when the engine is at rest, said wing being automatically movable by the air entering the gas inlet tube and having part of one surface perforated, and a spring having one end connected to the fuel supply pipe and the other to the side of the fuel supply reservoir.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of July, 19:27.

THOMAS HERBERT OTTEWILL RICHARDSON. 

